Catheter



M. L. SMITH 2,460,473

CATHETER v Feb. 1, 1949.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed D90. 17, 1945 Feb. 1, 1949.

M. L. SMITH CATHETER 3 Shegets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 17, 1945 M. 1.. SMITHFeb. 1, 1949.

CATHETER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 17, 1945 Patented Feb. 1, 1949 I tV 2,460,473

CATHETER 'MintomIaafkin smithgfiavannah; Ga.

l Applicationflkcem'ber 17,1945; "Seli'alNo. 6353528 (Gl.r1 28- 349) :17'Claims.

This invention-is a "novel catheter adapted to irrigateanddrain-the'kidney at the same time, ""the principal object bei-ngto"provide a catheter -o'f-"the-above typethrough which a solution may beforced 'underpressure against-a kidney stone e12 holes; "and alsoshowing-the outlet end er inner tube.

E ig. -4 is --a longitudinal =sectiona1 view 6f a lodged'intheuretertract between the kidney and the*"bla;dder, 'to-canse the stoneto'dissolve or become sufificiently-"reduce'd insize to pass-out;- saidcatheter having slots or grooves 'in' its head end "and-sides which willallow the solution to drain "out therethrou'gh while in the I uretertract 1 betweenthkidneyand bladder. g

Another object ofthe inventionis to provide a tiibular catheter er "theabove-type or rubber,

a-iplafs'tic, another-suitable materialwither Without a bulge moldedi-n-its exterior'wall, said bulge, when provided, serving to hold thecatheter-in the kidney or ureter tract when the bulge is inmormabenpanded -condition,=whereby the catheter wi ll beheld againstslipping within the tract; -a'

fieiible r ig'id inner tube being *insertable in the *catheter beforethe latter is inserted up "to the ki'dney, the tube or rod beingmanipulated "to stretch orlongate the catheter so as to reduce v *thebulge "tot-he approximate outside diameter of' the main body of"-thecatheter while entering the tract, after which when the-catheter isso *insertedthetub'e or rod may be-retractedsomewhat sothatthebulge willthereupon resume its kmormal-expandd -size= within the ureter tract or rlidney.

--I-'Will =expla'in the invention with referenceto the, accompanyingdrawings,- which illustratersev- --eral practical "embodiments thereof'to "enable -dthers*familiarwith' the" art to adopt and-use the"samezlaird willsummarize-in the claims;the novel features: ofconstruction, and novel combinations -ofparts,"ifor"which protection isdesired,

' ecatheter shown in:ZFig.11;showing the flexible .but

t-rrclatively :non-elongatable inner -::tube through which the ectionsolution is introduced into etheikidney. 558.33 perspectivewiewxof: a:modified cathfacterihaymgrthreengrooves or slots with drainage*metaillic inner tubear rod "provided with a-' flange near its outer-endtoprevent the tube from sl-i-pling out through the head of" thecatheterduring stretchin of the catheter.

"=Eig.' 5 is -a perspective view-"of' the metal inner tube-shown'iniFi'g; 4, detached, 'showing the inner "flan'ge near the outer=end,=and-showing the outer end' threaded to-receive-a nut-at the=end of*'the"catheter-to prevent the inner tube from slipping downins'ide'thecatheter.

"Figs-6 is 'aiperspective'vmw of the'nut s'hown' in Fig. 4,detachedprovided with slots: in its outer end allowing same to be turnedon or (iii the tube when using a screw driver.

Rig. 7 is :a. perspective view of a further modified catheter "similarto that shown in'iFig. -1, but in which the bulge is omitted,=-andshowing-the inlet of the innerr tii-be.

28"is a-longitudinal section through'the 1 catheter shown Fig. '7

="Assh'own in Figs. Ti 1 and 2, the catheter 'comprisesarr outer'flexible 'elongatable tube l of rubber; plastic, whether-suitablematerial' hav-ing a zbulbous portion 2=adjacent its outer endg'thethickness of the walls at'thebulb'bei-ng somewhat thinnerr' thanthevnormal '-'thickness or the tube l,

'WhGI Gby theZJbUIbOUS 'portiommay be contracted w-hen tube I iselongated, thereby reducing the bulbous portion to-approximatelythe samediameter as the'main portion at tube l.

Within the tube -l and-closing the outer-end thereof, is an integralinner tube-ii of flexible materialwhich :is' relativelyhon-elongatable;tube :3 having a; bore 4 for the passage therethrough of the treatingsolution, the bore being open-at its outer end. The material of tube'3is relatively stifierathan 'that oftube l butis such thatthe.catheterma-Ybe bent-to conform orfollow the curves of 'the ureter tractof-the human body.

ZTheinner tube- 4 passes-out of'the outer tube I though a perforation 5(Fig.- 2)- in its Wall.

'-At the outer end of the catheter in the sidewall thereofis a groove 6communicating, asatta,

withithe' bore of the outer tube around-the tube 3, while .atthe-opposite side of the catheter isa groove which is preferablysomewhat longer "than the groove-' 6, same =having athroat 1a also.ccommunicating with the bore of out-er tube I around-the inner-tube 3.

By the above construction,-when-entering the catheter in-the 1 uretertract towards the kidney,

the irmer tube 3 would be pushed upwardly or outwardly with respect tothe outer tube I, thereby elongating the bulbous portion 2 and reducingthe diameter thereof. After positioning the catheter in the tract orkidney the inner tube 3 would then be retracted to its normal position,thereby permitting the bulbous portion 2 to again expand thereby lockingthe catheter in position in the tract or kidney so that the catheterwill not slip out. The treating solution would be discharged through thebore 4 of the inner tube 3 under pressure so that any kidney stonelodged in the tract between the kidney and bladder would be dissolved orso reduced in size that same may be readily passed, the solutiondraining from the kidney or tract through the grooves 6 and i and intothe bore of outer tube 1 around inner tube 3.

In Fig. 3 a modified form of catheter is shown in which the parts aregenerally similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and similar parts aresimilarly numbered. In this modification however two slots 6 and oneslot l are provided inthe catheter for drainage purposes, the slotsbeing preferably disposed about 120 apart around the circumference ofthe catheter; otherwise the catheter is shown, same comprising outertube of rubber, plastic or other suitable material which is suflicientlyflexible to follow the curvatures of the ureter track in the human body.This modification is somewhat similar to those shown in Figs. 1 to 3,but the bulbous portion 2 shown in said preceding figures is omitted. Inthis modification the wall of tube l is thickened along one side, as atI'm (Fig. 8), and the thickened portion lm is provided with a bore lpextending from side opening 5 inthe wall of tube i to the center of theouter end of the end wall is of the tube I through which bore lp thetreating solution is passed, bore lp thus serving the same function asthe inner tubes 3 and 8 of the modifications shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Theouter end of the tube l is provided with one or more grooves 6, as inFigs. 1 and 3 communicating with the interior of the tube I around thethickened wall lm, and is also provided with the longer groove 1likewise communicating with the interior of tube l through which thetreating solucatheter shown in Fig. 3 is the same as that shown in Figs.1 and 2. a V

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 a modified form of catheter is shown in whichsimilar parts are similarly numbered, the outer tube 5 being providedwith the bulbous portion 2, and with the hole 5 below the portion2. Inthis modification the outer end of the bore l is closed but providedwith a bore la having an enlarged outer portion lb; and the outer end ofthe outer tube 5 is provided with slots 6 and l and throats 'Ba, la asin the preceding figures.

In this modification however, 'a metallic inner tube 8 is used (insteadof the inner tube 4 in the preceding figures), said metallic tube 8being sufficiently flexible to permit the catheter to follow thecurvatures of the ureter tract when entering the body of the patient.Inner tube 8 passes into tube i through the hole 5 in the wall of tubel, and passes upwardly through the bore la in the outer end of tube 5.TubeB is provided with a flange 9 adjacent its outer end adapted to seatagainst the inner face of the outer end wall of tube l, indicated inFig. 4. The flange 5 may be secured on the metallic inner tube 8 bysoldering, welding, or in any other desired manner. at H], to receive athreaded collar it which seats in the enlarged bore lb at the outer endof the catheter, as shown inFig. l, the collaril being provided withdiametrically opposed slots Ha (Fig. 6) whereby the collar may berotated by means of a screw driver or the like to thread same on or offthe end of the metallic tube 8.

By the above construction the outer end of tube 8 is confined within theouter end of tube 1 by the collar 5 l and the flange 9 on the tube 8. sothat tube 8 cannot slip through the outer end of the tube. However, whentube 8 is pushed upwardly or outwardly with respect to the tube I thebulbous portion 2 will be stretched and thereby reduced in diameter.Hence the operation of the catheter shown in Fig. 4 is the same as thatpreviously described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3; and the grooves 6and '1 allow the treating solution to drain from the outer end as wellas from the sides of the catheter, the treating solution beingdischarged from the catheter at the outer end of the tube 8.

In Figs. 7 and 8 a further modification 0f the The outer end of the tube8 is threaded, as

tion may drain after being discharged into the tract from the outer endof bore lp of the catheter, in the manner described with respect to thepreceding modifications. While the bore l p and the thickened portion imare preferably molded at the time the tube 1 is molded. the bore lp maybe formed therein in any other desired manner such as by reaming or thelike. 'I'heti'eating solution is introduced into the bore l p byinsertion of a nozzle, leading from the supply, into the opening 5provided in the wall of tube l.

I do not limit my invention to the exact forms shown in the drawings,for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of theclaims. a

I claim: 7 i

l. A catheter, comprising an outer flexible tube having a closed outerend; an inner tube within the outer tube discharging through the outerend of the outer tube, said inner tubehaving an inlet in the side of theouter tube adjacent its outer end, and said outer tube having recessesin its sides extending to its outer end having throats communicatingwith the bore of ,the outer tube around the inner tube.

2. In a catheter as set forth in claim 1, said inner tube being integralwith the outer tube.

3. In a catheter as set 'forth in claim 1 said inner tube comprising abore extending through an integral longitudinally thickened portion ofthe inner wall of the outer tube.

4. A catheter as set for in claim 1, said inner tube being metallic andhaving .a'flange adjacent its outer end engaging the inner face of theclosed outer end of the outer tube;.said inner tube passing through acentralbore in the outer end of the outer tube; and having meansthereonengaging the outer face of theouter endof'the outer tube toprevent withdrawal of the inner tube from said bore in the outer end ofthe outer tube.

5. A catheter as set forth in claim 1, said inner tube being metallicand having a flange adjacent its outer end engaging the inner face ofthe outer closed end'oi the outer tube,-said inner tube passing througha central bore in the outer end of the outer tube; and a tapped collarthereon engaging threads on the outer end of the inner tube; said collarbeing housed in an enlarged bore in the outer end of the outer tube.

6. A catheter, comprising an outer iflexible resilient tube having aclosed outer end; an inner tube within the outer tube dischargingthrough the outer end of the outer tube; said inner tube wardly throughthe outer tube adjacent its outer end; and said inner tube beingrelatively rigid; a resilient bulbous portion in the outer tube adjacentits outer end adapted to be reduced in diameter as the outer tube isstretched; and said inner tube being connected with the closed outer endof the outer tube, and adapted when shifted axially within the outertube in one direction to stretch said outer tube.

7. In a catheter as set forth in claim 6, said inner tube being integralwith the outer tube and having flexibility characteristics differentfrom those of the outer tube.

8. A catheter as set forth in claim 6, said inner tube being metallicand having a flange adjacent its outer end engaging the inner face ofthe outer closed end of the outer tube, said inner tube passing througha central bore in the outer end of the outer tube; and having meansthereon engaging the outer face of the outer end of the outer tube toprevent withdrawal of the inner tube from said bore in the outer end ofthe outer tube.

9. A catheter as set forth in claim 6, said inner tube being metallicand having a flange adjacent its outer end engaging the inner face ofthe outer closed end of the outer tube, said inner tube passing througha central bore in the outer end of the outer tube; and a tapped collarthereon engaging threads on the outer end of the inner tube; said collarbeing housed in an enlarged bore in the outer end of the outer tube.

10. A catheter, comprisin an outer flexible resilient tube having aclosed outer end; an inner tube within and spaced from the walls of theouter tube and discharging through the outer end of the outer tube, saidinner tube having an inlet in the side of the outer tube adjacent itsouter end, and being relatively rigid; a resilient bulbous portion inthe outer tube adjacent its outer end adapted to be reduced in diameteras the outer tube is stretched; said inner tube being connected with theouter end of the outer tube, and adapted when shifted axially within theouter tube in one direction to stretch said outer tube and therebyreduce said bulbous portion; and said outer tube having recesses in itssides extending to its outer end having throats leading into the bore ofthe outer tube around the inner tube. V

11. In a catheter as set forth in claim 10, said inner tube beingintegral with the outer tube and having flexibility characteristicsdifferent from those of the outer tube.

12. A catheter as set forth in claim 10, said inner tube being metallicand having a flange adjacent its outer end engaging the inner face ofthe outer closed end of the outer tube, said inner tube passing througha central bore in the outer end of the outer tube; and having meansthereon engaging the outer face of the outer end of the outer tube toprevent withdrawal of the inner 6 tube from said bore in the outer endof the outer tube.

13. A catheter as set forth in claim 10, said inner tube being metallicand having a flange adjacent its outer end engaging the inner face ofthe outer closed end of the outer tube, said inner tube passin through acentral bore in the outer end of the outer tube; and a tapped collarthereon engaging threads on the outer end of the inner tube; said collarbeing housed in an enlarged bore in the outer end of the outer tube.

14. A catheter, comprising an outer flexible resilient tube having aclosed outer end and having an integral bulbous portion formed in itswalls; an inner tube within and spaced from the Walls of the outer tubeand passing outwardly through a perforation below the bulb; said innertube being formed of flexible relatively rigid material; said bulbousportion being reducible in diameter as the outer tube is stretched; saidinner tube being connected with and discharging centrally of the outerend of the outer tube and adapted when shifted axially to stretch withinthe outer tube in one direction said outer tube and thereby reduce saidbulbous portion; and said outer tube having recesses in its sidesextending to its outer end having throats leading into the bore of theouter tube around the inner tube.

15. In a catheter as set forth in claim 14, said inner tube beingintegral with the outer tube and having flexibility characteristicsdifferent from those of the outer tube.

16. A catheter as set forth in claim 14, said inner tube being metallicand having a flange adjacent its outer end engaging the inner face ofthe closed outer end of the outer tube, said inner tube passing througha central bore in the outer end of the outer tube; and having meansthereon engaging the outer face of the outer end of the outer tube toprevent withdrawal of the inner tube from said bore in the outer end ofthe outer tube.

17. A catheter as set forth in claim 14, said inner tube being metallicand having a flange adjacent its outer end engaging the inner face ofthe closed outer end of the outer tube, said inner tube passing througha central bore in the outer end of the outer tube; and a tapped collarthereon engaging threads on the outer end of the inner tube; said collarbein housed in an enlarged bore in the outer end of the outer tube.

MINTON LARKIN SMITH.

REFERENCES CXTED The following references are of record in the of thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 256,590 Pfarre Apr. 18, 18822,175,726 Gebauer Oct. 10, 1939 2,257,369 Davis Sept. 30, 1941 2,393,002Smith Jan. 15, 1946

